Washington 2014: Immigration on Its Mind

After the Senate passed an immigration reform bill last year, it quickly sputtered to a ground halt.

The momentum abruptly shifted when House Republicans refused to consider the bipartisan measure, and it appeared to everyone in Washington (and probably everyone outside the Beltway) that immigration reform was finished.

But late in the year, Republican leaders determined it needed to drill down their own version of immigration reform in an effort to expand the party.

The reversal was on clear display during the State of the Union.

About 20 minutes into the address, President Obama drew applause from both sides of the aisle when he said this:

"If we are serious about economic growth, it is time to heed the call of business leaders, labor leaders, faith leaders, and law enforcement - and fix our broken immigration system."

Two days later, Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, unveiled an outline for immigration reform at a policy retreat with the House Republican conference.

In a one-page memo leaked to Politico and simply titled "Standards for Immigration Reform," it addresses America's broken immigration system.

"The serious problems in our immigration system must be solved, and [Republicans] are committed to working in a bipartisan manner to solve them."

The memo highlights six principles, starting with border security and enforcement. It also addresses the implementation of a visa tracking system, employment verification, and includes a path to legal status for illegal immigrants who are already here.

There's no guarantee. Boehner and his top lieutenants likely will have a tough time selling the plan to rank-and-file Republicans, especially skeptics of comprehensive reform.

And, he'll try to pick up support from House Democrats. But the well may already be poisoned.

Democrats say any legislation they consider must include a path to citizenship, something House Republicans have ruled out.

If, indeed, this is the year immigration reform is passed, the clock is ticking.

This is also a midterm election year, and the congressional calendar is shorter than it was last year. Essentially they have between now and July to get this done, and there are plenty of potential pitfalls along the way.